The 1990 baseball card season produced some of the most iconic and valuable cards in the hobby’s history. Featuring future Hall of Famers and some of the game’s biggest stars of the time, many 1990 cards have held or increased greatly in value over the past 30 years. Here’s a look at the top 10 most valuable 1990 baseball cards based on PSA 10 Gem Mint grade values from authenticated sales over the past year:

Ken Griffey Jr. Rated Rookie (Upper Deck) – $16,000+
Widely considered the flagship rookie card of the 1990s, Griffey’s Upper Deck rookie is the undisputed most valuable card from the ’90 set. Still one of the most desired rookie cards ever, a PSA 10 Gem Mint Griffey Rated Rookie routinely fetches over $16,000. Even in PSA 9 Excellent condition, this card trades hands for $6,000-8,000. Griffey would go on to have a Hall of Fame career and his rookie is the holy grail for 90s collectors.

Nolan Ryan (Fleer) – $13,000+
Ryan’s final playing season was 1990 and his Fleer card from that year is the most valuable subset card from the main ’90 releases. At 48 years old, Ryan still tossed power fastballs and notched his 5,000th career strikeout. His Fleer captures an icon of the game in his last hurrah. PSA 10 Gem Mint copies command over $13,000.

Frank Thomas (Fleer Rookie) – $12,000+
The Big Hurt exploded onto the scene in 1990, winning the AL Rookie of the Year and launching one of the most dominant careers of the 90s. Thomas’ rookie card from Fleer leads all 1990 rookies in value, with a PSA 10 selling for more than $12,000. Even in PSA 9 condition, it fetches $5,000-7,000.

Ken Griffey Jr. (Upper Deck Rookie) – $10,000+
While not his true “rookie” card, Griffey’s Upper Deck debut from 1989 is almost as coveted as his big ’90 Rated Rookie. As one of the most talented players ever, showing early flashes in ’89 only added to excitement for his inevitable superstardom. A PSA 10 recently sold for over $10,000, with PSA 9s going for $4,000-6,000.

Cal Ripken Jr. (Topps Traded) – $8,000+
Ripken was in the midst of his record-breaking consecutive games streak in 1990. His Topps Traded card, with a high-action photo and “Iron Man” moniker on the front, has become hugely popular. PSA 10s sell for well over $8,000. Even PSA 9s in the $3,000+ range show Ripken’s enduring popularity and the 1990 Topps Traded set’s collectibility.

David Justice (Score Rookie) – $7,500+
Justice was an emerging star for the Braves in 1990 and his Score rookie is the most valuable card from the underrated but iconic ’90 Score set. PSA 10 Gems recently sold at auction for highs over $7,500. In PSA 9 condition, Justice rookies still sell for $3,000-4,000. The card captured the beginning of his contributions to Atlanta’s dominance.

Don Mattingly (Upper Deck) – $7,000+
Mattingly was the face of the Yankees in 1990 as the team transitioned out of the Dave Winfield era. “Donnie Baseball’s” sharp Upper Deck card carries a high premium, with PSA 10s selling above $7,000. Its hand-collated rarity adds appeal for Yankees collectors pursuing a Mattingly card from his late career seasons in Pinstripes.

Mark McGwire (Score Rookie) – $6,500+
Before Big Mac broke the home run records, he was one of baseball’s brightest young talents just starting to display his incredible power. McGwire’s rookie card from Score’s popular ’90 set hits over $6,500 in a PSA 10, less than Thomas but still a strong price for this iconic cardboard.

Gregg Jefferies (Donruss Rookie) – $6,000+
Jefferies was a can’t-miss prospect who had a decent MLB career but didn’t live up to expectations. That hasn’t stopped his sharp Donruss rookie from appreciating – it sells north of $6,000 in PSA 10 condition. High-grade examples are tough to find, adding to the card’s allure for Mets collectors.

Bret Saberhagen (Fleer Update) – $6,000+
Saberhagen followed up his Cy Young wins in ’85 and ’89 with another stellar season for Kansas City. His Update issue card captures him in Royals blue and has steadily grown in demand. PSA 10s change hands for $6,000+, showing this underrated but valuable 1990 release maintains traction among collectors.

With stars of the 1990s like Griffey, Thomas, Ripken, and McGwire just starting their amazing careers, the combination of rookie cards, action shots, and proven veterans made the ’90 season a truly iconic one at the hobby’s peak of popularity during the “junk wax” era. While print runs were enormous, condition sensitive collectors have driven values of top 10 PSA 10 gems from 1990 into five-figure territory after three decades.